I'm thinking of dabbling in 2 rail...(UPDATE--I dove in Head First)

Most newer stuff comes with DCC decoders.    MTH decoders however have been known at the local club to not be totally DCC compliant.     Atlas and Sunset 3rd Rail use standard decoders.     Lionel makes no 2 rail.   

Basically O scale 2 rail works identically to HO and N.    If  you can do that, you can do, just bigger stuff but still 12 volts.   Most of it draws a little more amperage than HO and I assume N scale.

As for DCC systems, NCE is very common and popular as is Digitrax.     There is also Lenz and EasyDCC that are fairly common.    MRC makes a system but it does not have as good reputation as the above, it seems to be more of a low-end system.   All have radio throttles except Lenz.    However the company that makes EasyDCC, CVP, makes a radio throttle system for Lenz.    I have not seen any modelers in my area use DCS with DCC decoders.   

You can use any mfg's decoders with any control system, that is the neat thing about standard signals.    Installing your own decoders is very easy if  you are a little handy and can solder some small wires.    There are some companies that just make sound/motor decoders, and no control system such as Soundtraxx and QSI.   

My suggestion if  you want to use DCC is to select a system that some other modelers in your area use.    That way you can have some one handy to ask some questions when you are getting started.     There are also online forums for all the major control systems.

In Older steamers, you can find lots and lots of really neat brass stuff that  you can install decoders in.    So there is much more ability to follow a specific prototype more closely.

I have NCE Powercab controllers for my On30 DCC locos and thoroughly recommend them. 

I use NCE, as does our club. It is very user friendly. Their products are well designed and well made. Their customer service is top notch.

Most DCC decoders have the ability to use either DCC or straight DC. Known as dual-mode decoders.

By all means, stay away from a proprietary system like DCS, unless you'll only run at home. Compatibility with DCC is definitely an issue.

A layout will have a pair of bus wires, 12-14 gauge dependent on size. Add feeders, 22-24 gauge, to EVERY section of track. A lot of 2 railers will use 40" flexible sections.

DCC systems use AC power on the track. On-board decoders convert it to DC to the motors.

In addition to NCE's popularity … I've found the people in their office to be friendly and helpful. I've had their systems since DCC was just starting to get popular in HO.

And, concerning DCC dual mode decoders … you will experience much better motor control than 3-rail, even in simple DC mode. 

Have fun.

You know what else comes in 2 rail? 

Clockwork O

And you don't need silly decoding electronics to run it... Why you don't need electricity at all! 

I'm in the DMZ between 3-rail and 2-rail. I run scale-wheeled equipment at my hi-rail club using MTH engines set to 3-rail mode under DCS. However, I also ran a demonstrator on a 2-rail layout at a train show a few years ago under NCE DCC. It went into the system right away without incident and ran flawlessly for hours. When I build my home layout, I still don't know if I'm buliding 2-rail or 3-rail/2-rail hybrid.

I'm the other guy here. I run nothing but MTH DCS. (I do have some TMCC, and DCC in boxes)

I gave up on DCC. It's good to see that they finally are moving forward. It just took way too long. Thank goodness for some programs to finally help it along. It has great capabilities. If you settle on a brand it will be easier. Each one has limitations though. Most of the older decoders struggled with power handling. Many didn't have sound or smoke capability. You had to pair different brands together inside an engine. Some needed their own programmers, and/or a degree to use them. Cheap decoders failed. Expensive ones were from other countries.

TMCC is just like DCC. You just had to memorize all the programming to exploit all of the features. I was always surprised that the two wouldn't work together.

So if you want RTR engines, there's a few choices. MTH engines run on DCS, DC, and DCC.

Atlas (if you can get them), 3rd Rail, and brass?, run DCC or DC only.

Thanks for the great responses! Unfortunately, the only club in town is HO and N scale.  No O scalers that I am aware of...I think there is an O scale 2 rail show in Atlanta next weekend.  I am only 4 hours away and my kids live up there...so I may go to get my feet wet and ask tons of questions.

I have been looking at NCE equipment and have seen some for HO/N and some for O.  Looks like the main difference are the AMPs 2 vs 5 or 10?  How many AMPs do the engines draw?  Also looks like DigiTrax starter kit are 4-8 AMPs and can run HO/N and O?

I do love the fact that the decoder is a decoder and either system will work with it.  Interesting concept.  

Also cool 3 rail MTH can run in 2 rail mode...I assume the pickup wheels come off for this?

You really want to order the 2 rail version in MTH. I have converted many diesels and it takes extra work.

So are you diesel or steam? with smoke? and sound?

Amp draw depends on smoke use. I'd guess at 1 amp without and 2 amps with smoke. 

I had a Digitrax system and liked it. The NCE is very good and I used their decoders at the end. I think it was their #408. It just didn't have sound. So I pigi-backed a Locksound inside with it.

Just my opinion but, I didn't think that real model railroaders "dabble" in model railroading, 2-Rail or otherwise.

Dice;

I live in north west Iowa so I deal with being away from a lot. I like 2 rail coming over from HO in the mid-90s. Best modeling there is as far as I know. I also use NCE as it is easy to get going and as I run a switching layout ( 4' x 16') I use the HO system. My Atlas as well as a couple Sunset locos rarely pull 1 amp and with 2 or 3 cars in tow will pull 1/2 amp easily. I have a friend that runs Digitrax but it seems you need and engineering degree to understand it.

Dick

Engineer-Joe posted:

You really want to order the 2 rail version in MTH. I have converted many diesels and it takes extra work.

So are you diesel or steam? with smoke? and sound?

Amp draw depends on smoke use. I'd guess at 1 amp without and 2 amps with smoke. 

I had a Digitrax system and liked it. The NCE is very good and I used their decoders at the end. I think it was their #408. It just didn't have sound. So I pigi-backed a Locksound inside with it.

I like steam mainly, but am not prejudice against a good looking diesel engine.  I do like smoke...sound as in a whistle or horn?  Yes...I like them.  Crew talk on Lionel...no not a big fan.

If I want to dabble...I could do without smoke or sound.  Would the smaller 2 AMP system work with one engine...then I could add a power booster or something if I decide to do more than dabble?

CBQer posted:

Dice;

I live in north west Iowa so I deal with being away from a lot. I like 2 rail coming over from HO in the mid-90s. Best modeling there is as far as I know. I also use NCE as it is easy to get going and as I run a switching layout ( 4' x 16') I use the HO system. My Atlas as well as a couple Sunset locos rarely pull 1 amp and with 2 or 3 cars in tow will pull 1/2 amp easily. I have a friend that runs Digitrax but it seems you need and engineering degree to understand it.

Dick

Thanks...I always felt the same about Digitrax.  Makes sense too about pulling more cars and drawing more amps.  So you use the 2 AMP system on the switching system?

Hot Water posted:

Just my opinion but, I didn't think that real model railroaders "dabble" in model railroading, 2-Rail or otherwise.

Touché...but dabbling to me is getting my feet wet to see if I like it more than 3 rail...then I either do both or one or the other...

If you are just starting out give battery R/C a close look at. 

I run 2 rail DC, 2 rail PS-2/3  and 3 rail PS 2/3, 3 rail conventional, then got a pair of DCS  TIU's for a herd of MTH locos but then  I picked up a battery R/C. 

Paradigm shift !    Wish I did R/C before anything else.  

R/C is available with and with out sound,  same with lighting.  Robert Buck is the go to person for many of us.  His Piko installations are neat and clean.

R/C units run $99.00 to $275.  Battery, charger, installation additional.

Robert is in York not far from the fairgrounds.  717-741-3060

I'm happy with DCS. I like modern DCC stuff. If I started right now I would also look at battery (dead rail). I'm surprised it hasn't grown bigger. I have to assume it's from lack of standards and interop. Smaller brands and separate tech?

I did look years back and didn't like the state of battery tech. They didn't last long both charge and life overall.

I run large consists and it was a matter of economy (usually is for most of us). Maybe if I only ran steam and single engines it would be different. Depending on rails for power is a pain. Large consists make it more economical. Hopefully future sound cars and features to exploit this more very soon in O scale?

I saved an old MRC basic DCC system and it will run one DCC engine on my bench.

Andy,

Definitely you should give 2 rail a try!  

My $0.02 worth is that if you just want to try 2-rail fpr now, then DCC is likely cheaper and easier than battery R/C just as a start. You won't have to do custom work on the loco(s) at first. You could look for a used entry-level NCE system as probably the most user-friendly starting point.

You could get a used 2-rail loco with factory DCC and sound such as Atlas or Sunset 3rd Rail and a few freight cars, or convert a few 3-rail ones if you have some scale 3-rail cars on hand.  Add some used Atlas flex or sectional track and a few turnouts and you can make a nice switching layout to see how you feel about 2-rail in practice.

If you do get hooked, you could add battery power but keep the DCC decoders to get the best of both worlds - best sounds and best running.  Or sell off the DCC system again and go battery R/C. That may depend on what matters most to you, such as the most realistic sound and lighting effects, 100% reliable running without needing track wiring, most realistic operating session experience for engineers and conductors, etc.

I've been using DCC for 25 years and seem to have it working quite well for my needs finally. 

But if I was starting out now I think I would go battery power but with DCC control to get the best of everything.

In case it's of interest, here are a few clips of my modern-era shortline with DCC and ProtoThrottle. The PT is a wireless handheld but I put it in a cradle when shooting video:

You can still find used Atlas SW8/9/1200, GP35s, MP15DCs with DCC and sound used but they are in demand.

More clips of 2-rail DCC switching ops here:

https://www.youtube.com/playli...pWGXAKZmSQ1c-zvvdOnz

Peter, the ProtoThrottle is impressive.  I can't think of any other controller that actually simulates a locomotive control stand.  Sure beats all the yadda-yadda about using a smart phone as a controller. 

Thanks for the demonstration.

Rusty

“Do or do not.  There is no dabble!”